I joined Hungry Onion nearly 9 months ago - sorry about my silence since then! I am in my sick bed and off work for a couple of days, so I’m taking the opportunity to rectify this by giving an update on all things Liverpool. It might take two or three threads to do this!
First of all, the new places I like (well, new in the last few years) - and there are lots of them:
Neon Jamon - originally in Allerton, now a second branch has opened on Berry St in the city centre. Very good tapas, always busy. Top tip - clams with a rich sherry-laced sauce.
Roja Pinchos - very good place on Berry St. Pinchos are imaginative. Very plain cafe-type room with a bar downstairs.
Beijing Chinese Restaurant - our new favourite Chinese place, on Knight St. It has a ‘normal’ (i.e. some Cantonese type stuff to keep the Brits happy) menu, but specialises in Northern Chinese food along with a few Sichuan dishes. Have only been once, but had a great, very spicy, noodle soup, Mongolian lamb and Sichuan green beans. All perfect - will try this again and give the menu a good going over.
Mr Chilli is another good relatively new place on Seel St. Some misses (hot pots are very spicy, but thin and watery and no depth of flavour) but some very good Sichuan dishes.
Mowgli - Indian food on Bold St. Says it’s ‘street food’, but I think that’s just trying to follow the trend. Dishes are interesting though, with a small menu and good cooking going on.
Maray - Middle Eastern-inspired small plates and cocktails too on Bold St. Some very good food and it is very popular. Top tip - get one or two plates of ‘plain’ food - we went for too many dishes of highly flavoured meaty dishes and there was no balance - I was craving plain broccoli or salad or something to go with it!
Salthouse Bacaro - sister restaurant to Salthouse Tapas, on Castle St in the business district. Italian small plates. Really good - one of my favourites.
The Pen Factory - what I call the New Old Everyman. This is run by Paddy, the guy who established the old Everyman Bistro in the 70s, which became an institution. When the theatre was rebuilt a couple of years ago, Paddy lost the franchise. But he has reappeared - next door - in a new venture that has managed to capture the spirit of the old Everyman bistro while modernising the menu. Small plates and full meals - all interesting and have only had one bad dish in several visits. So pleased it is back.
Buyer’s Club - a new-ish venture by the people who set up a secret dinning club in the city. It is located in the old Flying Picket bar/music venue behind the Blinds School on Hardman St. The bar does excellently cooked small plates - really interesting and very good indeed, with a decent wine list. The restaurant part isn’t open as a normal restaurant would be - it is more for special events. A tip for a Michelin Star in the not-too-distant future - although it might not have the service and frippery demanded by the inspectors…
The Art School - behind the Philharmonic Hall on Sugnall St, off Myrtle St. Very posh dining experience with excellent food - a Paul Askew (from the London Carriage Works) venture. Only complaint was the over-the-top service - too many people being obsequious around us. They are training young people up I think, which is great, but I find it hard to relax in a stifled environment where everyone is just trying to hard. They are tipped for a Michelin star by the press.
I’m sure there are lots I have forgotten - I’ll start another thread when I remember them! And I will try to be a more regular contributor …
